Bank of Australasia, Ipswich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bank of Australasia, Ipswich |
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Former Bank of Australasia, 2017
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| Location | 116A Brisbane Street, Ipswich, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | Reed & Barnes |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Former Council Offices, Brisbane Street Ipswich, Bank of Australasia, Ipswich Library, Ipswich Visitors and Tourist Information Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600568 |
| Significant period | 1870s (fabric) 1870s-1940s (historical - bank) 1940s-1970s - (historical, social - Library) |
| Significant components | strong room, residential accommodation - manager's house/quarters |
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The Bank of Australasia is a very old and important building in Ipswich, Australia. It was built in 1878 and designed by architects Reed & Barnes. Over the years, it has been many things: a bank, council offices, a library, and even a tourist information centre. Today, it's a restaurant! This building is special because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its history and beauty.
A Building with Many Lives
The Bank of Australasia building was finished in 1878. It even had a home for the bank manager attached to it. The famous architects Reed and Barnes from Melbourne designed it. Before the bank was built, an old church called St Paul's used to be on this spot. It was even used as a school! The bank bought the land in 1925.
The bank closed its doors in 1943 and stayed empty for a while. The Ipswich City Council later bought the building. In 1985, the council's Rates Office moved to a new building. The old bank then became shops after a nearby department store burned down. In 1991, it started a new life as the city's tourist information centre. It also housed the Ipswich Events Corporation.
In 2015, the building became home to the Indian Mehfil Restaurant. This shows how one building can change and adapt over many years!
What the Building Looks Like
The former Bank of Australasia is a single-storey building made of strong bricks. Inside, you can still see parts of the old strong room, which was a very secure place for money. There are also new walls inside, but some of the original decorative trim, called a cornice, can still be seen at the northern end.
Why This Building is Special
The former Bank of Australasia was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's recognized as an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
- A Look into the Past: This building helps us understand how banking worked in big towns during the 1800s. It shows what a bank with a manager's home looked like back then.
- Special Design: It's a great example of a 19th-century bank building. The architects, Reed and Barnes, designed it. They changed their usual bank design a little to suit the Queensland weather.
- Beautiful to See: People in the community value its beautiful design. It's a classic-looking building with fine details. It also fits in well with other important buildings nearby. It makes the street look much nicer!
- Community Connection: The building has a special link to the School of Arts and the Ipswich City Council. This is because it was used to provide library services to the community for many years.
